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Alaska Legislature Approves Resolution Urging Federal Government to Respect Their State’s Marijuana Law

April 21, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

Alaska’s full legislature has passed a resolution urging the federal government to respect their marijuana laws, and to consider a change in federal law.

House Joint Resolution No. 21 was passed unanimously by both the House and Senate. The House concurred with the Senate’s version on April 20.

The resolution urges the federal government” to respect the authority of the state to regulate marijuana use, production, and distribution and to honor previous federal guidance on marijuana policy”, and urges them “to reconsider its listing of marijuana as a schedule I controlled substance.”

Alaska Senate Passes Resolution Urging Feds to Respect State Marijuana Laws, Reconsider Marijuana as Schedule 1 Drug

April 19, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

A resolution urging the federal government to respect Alaska’s marijuana legalization law, and to consider a change in federal law, has been passed by the state’s full Senate.

House Joint Resolution No. 21 urges the federal government” to respect the authority of the state to regulate marijuana use, production, and distribution and to honor previous federal guidance on marijuana policy”, and urges them “to reconsider its listing of marijuana as a schedule I controlled substance.” The House of representative has already approved the resolution in a unanimous vote last month.

Alaska of course is one of nine U.S. states where marijuana is legal. Passed in 2014, Alaska’s marijuana law allows those 21 and older to possess and use up to an ounce of marijuana, which they can purchase from a state-licensed marijuana retail outlet. The law also allows for the personal cultivation of marijuana.

Alaska Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Hemp

April 13, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

Alaska Governor Bill Walker has signed into law a bill legalizing industrial hemp.

Governor Walker signed Senate Bill 6 today, which was filed by Senator Shelley Hughes. The measure was passed unanimously by both the Senate (18 to 0) and House of Representatives (36 to 0).

The new law legalizes industrial hemp by separating hemp from the definition of marijuana. This effectively removes hemp from the state’s list of controlled substances, allowing it to be grown as an agricultural commodity. Senate Bill 6 also clarifies that “cannabidiol oil is not included in the definition of “hashish oil””,and clarifies that “adding industrial hemp to food does not create an adulterated food product”.

Alaska House Unanimously Approves Resolution Urging Feds to Respect Their Marijuana Law

March 21, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

Alaska’s House of Representatives is formally calling on the federal government to respect their marijuana laws.

The House on Monday voted unanimously, 38 to 0, to pass a resolution asking the federal government to respect Alaska’s law that allows, regulates and taxes marijuana use, production and distribution. According to the Associated Press, the resolution also urges the federal government to reconsider its listing of marijuana as a controlled substance.

The resolution now goes to the Senate. The Senate has thus far rejected a resolution from Senator Berta Gardner (D) that pushes back against Attorney General Jeff Sessions decision to rescind the Obama-era Cole Memo (which allowed state-legal marijuana businesses to operate without federal interference given they follow a set of guidelines). However, their refusal to act on that resolution isn’t necessarily an indicator that they won’t approve the House’s measure, especially since it was passed unanimously.

Alaska House Unanimously Approves Bill to Legalize Hemp

February 19, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

Alaska’s House of Representatives has given approval to a bill that would legalize industrial hemp.

Senate Bill 6 was passed today by the House of Representatives in a unanimous 36 to 0 vote. Filed by Senator Shelley Hughes, the proposal would separate hemp from the definition of marijuana, removing it entirely from the Alaska list of controlled substances. This would legalize the plant, allowing it to be grown an agricultural commodity. The measure has already unanimously passed the state’s full Senate, but needs to go back for a final concurrence vote before it can be sent to Governor Bill Walker for consideration.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with today’s vote, and I thank the House of Representatives for their strong support”, Senator Hughes said following the House’s vote. “As an agricultural crop, hemp has significant economic potential for Alaska as its uses are widespread and varied. It is also quite appropriate that this bill passed on Presidents’ Day. Many of our founding fathers, including Presidents’ George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, grew hemp.”

Alaska Garners Nearly $600k in Marijuana Taxes for July, Highest Month Yet

September 5, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Alaska earned nearly $600,000 in taxes from marijuana sales in July, the most since the state began legal marijuana sales.

In total Alaska garnered $577,901 in taxes from legal marijuana sales in July; this is according to the state’s Department of Revenue. The nearly $600,000 in taxes made in July is roughly a third of the $1.7 million in taxes Alaska garnered in all of fiscal year 2017 (which began on July 1st, 2016 and ended on June 30th of this year).

According to the Department of Revenue, the taxes earned came from 612 pounds of marijuana flower being sold, in addition to 369 pounds of trimmings (making the total sold at 981 pounds). Alaska collects $50 per ounce of marijuana flower, and $15 per ounce of marijuana trimmings.

Alaska Officials Vote to Allow On-Site Consumption of Marijuana at Retail Outlets

July 18, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

The Alaska Marijuana Control Board’s has voted 3 to 2 to establish rules allowing marijuana to be consumed on-site at licensed retail outlets.

The approved proposal includes a specific set of rules and guidelines that would make Alaska the first state where on-site consumption of recreational marijuana is allowed at retail outlets. These include requiring ventilation, and limiting the amount of marijuana can be consumed. Approval of the rules will open up a 60-day public comment period.

At the meeting board member Brandon Emmett cited news stories about tourists coming to the state, purchasing marijuana and then having nowhere to legally consume it; this is because smoking in public remains illegal, and many hotels don’t allow it. He also brought up the Anchorage Assembly’s passage of a resolution that urges the board to allow consumption of cannabis in pot shops.

State’s First-Ever Cannabis Retail Outlet OKed in Alaska

September 9, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

By Associated Press

Alaska marijuana regulators have approved the first permit for a cannabis retail store.

The Alaska Marijuana Control Board on Thursday approved the permit for Frozen Budz, which will be located in Fairbanks.

Co-owner Destiny Neade received a round of applause from the audience and clapped herself. As she walked back to her seat, she told the audience, “Now all I need is some herb.”

Alaska Marijuana Possession Laws

July 27, 2016July 27, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

Alaska Marijuana Possession Laws:

1 ounce or less:

No penalty

1 to 4 ounces in a private residence:

No penalty

1 ounce, less than 4 ounces:

Penalty: Misdemeanor with up to 1 year in jail and/or $10,000 fine

4 ounces or more:

Penalty: Felony with up to 5 years in prison

Any amount within 500 feet of school grounds or rec center:

Penalty: Felony with up to 5 years in prison

For further information on Alaska marijuana laws – including penalties for distribution and cultivation – click here. For recent updates to Alaska marijuana possession laws and other Alaska-related stories, click here.

U.S. Senator Calls on Federal Government to Allow Gun Rights for Cannabis Consumers

April 4, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is calling on the federal government to allow those who possess and use cannabis legally under their state’s law to possess firearms without the fear of federal persecution.

Murkowski actually opposed the initiative that legalized cannabis in Alaska, but now that her constituents have spoken, she’s doing what a lawmaker should do and is representing their interests. Murkowski feels that if someone is consuming cannabis legally, whether it in Alaska or another legal state like Colorado, they shouldn’t have additional restrictions placed on their gun rights.